Darkness Rising

Chapters

Chapter 1 Love at First Night
Chapter 2 Aftermath
Chapter 3 Black Ice, and Romance
Chapter 4 Thinning Patience
Chapter 5 The Plot Thickens
Chapter 6 The Dark City Returns
Chapter 7 The Kings' Return
Chapter 8 Darkness Falls
Chapter 9 Awakening
Chapter 10 Frightful Revelations
Chapter 11 Era of The Dark Crystal

Chapter 1 Love at First Night

After the Changeling Queen was defeated, and the Changelings became their true selves. They were invited to a party in their honour, due to the new found understanding of how love works. At first someponies were stand offish, due to the bad blood between the two races, but after a couple of kegs of cider, your worse enemy became your best friend.

It was a jubilus night, even more so for a Young Changeling, who had been watching a unicorn from the bar, he couldn't help but notice her cute laugh, her blue coloured eyes, and her elegantly curled, cyan and purple, mane and tail.

Thorax had a crush on this unicorn well before his metamorphosis. He would often sneak down to the old dusty town she use to live in, before she moved to Ponyville.

He never wanted to feed on her, he just wanted her to notice and accept him for what he was, a monster. Well that's what Thorax thought, before he met Spike, who accepted him for a changeling, becoming his best friend, but all though he was not a monster anymore; he still thought he wouldn't have a chance with such a brilliant mare. Though he thoroughly enjoyed fighting beside her, in the changeling lair. It was the most time he spent with her, in his own form, and in such close proximity to her. He even found out she actually trusted him.

"What's wrong thorax?" Thorax heard somepony state, shaking him from his thoughts.

"Oh, it's nothing Spike." Thorax replied.

"I know something is wrong. I am your best friend after all." Spike pried.

"Okay Spike, you got me, I like Starlight Glimmer, but I don't know how to approach her." Thorax replied, downing his cup of cider in one gulp.

"I know how you feel, it's so intimidating to approach the mare you like. But you will never find out if you just sit at the bar. Go talk to her, I had to do the same thing with Rarity, she didn't feel the same way, but at least I found out, and we are still very good friends." Spike encouraged.

Little did Thorax know, but Starlight had eyes for him too. Though she was faced with a similar dilemma; she liked Thorax but didn't know how to confront him about it. She didn't want to jeopardise their friendship, and she wasn't sure if he liked her yet, and she had never confronted a Stallion about her feelings before, let alone gone on a date with one.

If she did start dating Thorax, she didn't want to mess it all up. She was going to ask Cadance to help her with dating advice, but she didn't have the time, with all of her friendship studies she was doing for Twilight.

Starlight Glimmer, had been glancing discreetly over at Thorax, all night. She wondered what he had been thinking about, she was going to approach him, but then she would get cold feet, and start to feel nervous.

"Thorax, what are you waiting for, go and talk to her." Spike patted Thorax on the back.

"Oh, I dont know Spike, what if she doesn't like me that way?" Thorax stated hesitantly.

"Okay, I wont force you to go over to her, but that's why your friends with Spike the brave and glorious." Spike started making his way over to Starlight Glimmer.

"Spike-wait-no-stop." Thorax said falling off of the stool.

Spike didn't have to go far, because as soon as Starlight saw Thorax fall over, she came rushing to him.

"Are you okay Thorax?!" Starlight asked.

"Yeah ha ha, I'm fine, just a little too much cider probably." Thorax blushed in embarrassment.

"Here, let me get you a glass of water." Starlight hailed the bar keeper, before returning with a glass of water.

"Thank you Starlight." Thorax thanked.

Starlight blushed briefly.

"Starlight, Thorax likes you and wants to go out with you." Spike chimed in, ceasing his opportunity.

"Really! Is that true Thorax." Starlight was shocked, she wasn't expecting Spike to say that, but she hoped it was true.

"I do like you, and I want to go out with you. you probably don't feel the same way." Thorax replied, awkwardly blushing.

"Actually I do feel the same way. I would love to go out with you." Starlight replied, with a great smile.

"I knew you would say that you didn't like me that way... Wait what, you will?!" It was Thoraxs' turn to become shocked.

"You're welcome buddy!" Spike stated, as if he already knew what the answer would be.

Soon after the awkwardness subsided, Trixie approached the bar, where Thorax and Starlight were talking, she had over heard part of the conversation between Thorax and Starlight.

"Trixie guesses, he said yes then. Trixie already knew he would, no one can withstand the fortune telling of the great and powerful Trixie." Trixie stated, as if she knew it before everypony else did.

"Hi Trix, how did you know about how I felt about Thorax?" Starlight Glimmer, inquired curiously.

"Trixie knows all about what Starlight feels. Also Trixie may have noticed you using scrying magic on Thorax, watching him go on about his daily business." Trixie admitted.

"You would watch me?" Thorax replied, shocked.

"Yes I was watching you, I suppose you think I'm some type of stalker now?" Starlight had become crestfallen, she thought that little detail, would make Thorax run away, before their relationship even began.

"Actually... I'm just as bad as you. when you were in that little village in the sand, I would morph into a pony, and watch you too. I have had a crush on you for a long time. I didn't want to tell you, because I thought you would find me creepy." Thorax replied, while fidgeting his hooves nervously.

" Ha-ha we are so alike, we came from evil backgrounds, and we both like to spy on ponies." Starlight winked, diffusing the tension of the situation.

The party continued on, late into the night, and through that time Thorax and Starlight spent time together, they danced, drank, and partied the night away. While every other pony got acquainted with their new allies, and it was all thanks to the efforts of Starlight, Thorax, Discord, and Trixie.

Author's Note

Thank you for your continued support, I hope you enjoy this fim fiction first more chapters coming soon. Please if you enjoy this story, or any other stories I have written, please consider following my fim fic profile, and pledge to my patreon.

If you do pledge to me I'll give you a copy of the book cover, without the words, or the patreon symbol. It would look good as wallpaper. I'll also draw cover art for your books, if you need a personalised book cover for your story.

https://www.patreon.com/drebailey

Chapter 2 Aftermath

After the brilliant night of partying, a groggy, and slightly hung over Starlight Glimmer, had woken up. When she looked beside her, she saw Thorax lying there. She smiled, and wondered what exactly did she get up to last night, with her new colt friend.

Starlight got up out of bed, and went down to the kitchen in Twilights castle, and made Thorax and herself a cup of tea. She also whipped up an elixir to cure the affects of a hangover. She poured a bit into hers', and Thoraxs' tea, before she started making her way up to the room she stayed in.

She made it back up to the room where Thorax had been sleeping, and gently stirred him awake with the fresh smell of Tea wafting through the room.

"Good morning, Sleepy head." Starlight greeted.

"Oh, um, hi Starlight, did we um, you know, last night?" Thorax replied awkwardly.

"you idiot he-he, we didn't, you just stayed the night. Here drink this elixir, it will help you remember what happened last night." Starlight smiled, as she handed the cup of tea, laced with elixir to her colt friend.

The elixir worked fast, as soon as he took a sip of his tea, his head began to clear, and the headache he had been nursing started to dull. He remembered the whole night, and wondered how Spike was. He remembered seeing his best friend making out with Ember, then chugging a whole keg of cider to himself. He had to note that when a dragon partied, they partied hard.

Thorax got up out of the bed, now recovered from his hangover, he approached Starlight and embraced her gently.

"Do you want to get something to eat?" Thorax inquired.

"I would like that, but where do you want to go?" Starlight replied with a flush to her cheek, tapping her hooves together sheepishly.

"I don't know, what about one of the places that you like, Starlight." Thorax replied awkwardly. Thorax had still been really awkward around Starlight, he had never dated anypony before, and so he didn't quite know how to date somepony yet.

"Hm-hm you're so adorable. I know a place." Starlight chuckled lightly.

Starlight and Thorax started to leave the castle, and noticed that Twilight was up, and she had just started her morning routine. She saw Thorax, and Starlight, walking closely beside each other. She noticed them blush as they saw her.

"So how are the love birds this morning, did you 'enjoy' each others company." Twilight inquired playfully, making air quotes as she said, enjoy.

"Nothing happened last night, I swear." Starlight stated embarrassed.

"mm hm. so where are you going this morning." Twilight asked, after making her pupil blush furiously.

"We are going to get some breakfast, together." Starlight replied.

"Okay you two foals have fun." Twilight winked, earning another blush from Starlight.

After the two love birds left the castle, they were amazed to see so many ponies awake. The party last night had been the biggest Equestria had ever seen, Starlight was sure that every pony had attended the party. When they made it to the café, they saw Spike, and Ember, already eating breakfast together. Starlight and Thorax smiled, they both knew Spike liked Ember. They were glad that they had finally accepted each other, and started dating.

Once Thorax, and Starlight, found a table for two. A waiter pony approached the couple, and asked what they wanted. Starlight and Thorax ordered what they wanted, and started talking to each other, getting to know each other, on their first date.

Meanwhile somewhere in the Crystal Empire, a darkness had been growing in strength, unbeknown to the world. A black maned shadowy unicorn, had been in the deepest caverns of the Crystal empire, recovering from his defeat by the hooves, and claws, of Twilight and Spike.

However that wasn't the only evil under the ice, Chrysalis had been searching for a dark, magical object, that had been buried under the ice, and snow. she could feel its presence, but she couldn't search constantly, she could only search during the night, due to who she had camouflaged herself as.

During one fateful night, she walked deep into the frozen wastes, where the ice was most solid and the air was at its coolest. she was grateful for the curse Nova had placed on her, giving her a husk, instead of a pelt. she knew if she had a pelt she would of surely perished long ago to the chill of the storm. Chrysalis knew that this was windigo territory and rather dangerous.

She continued to move forward, until she heard the distinct howl of a Windigo. She lit her horn up, and prepared to fight. Soon the pack of Windigos surrounded her, she began to feel the temperature drop rapidly, as they surrounded her. She released bolts of green magic, however, she was gradually being over powered by the sheer numbers of the pack. as the fight continued, she suddenly felt a powerful dark presence, it had been the one she was searching for.

The snow changed to black, from white, and the Windigoes became scared, as the shadow started to surround them. Soon the wind stopped howling, and the Windigoes could finally be seen, as clear as day. They were white wolves, with red eyes, and soft fur.

"Bow before me!" A commanding and dark voice sounded, and as if on cue, the Windigoes submitted, before the voice, dropping to their bellies, whining as they submitted.

"I SAID BOW!" The voice continued.

Chrysalis realised that the voice was referring to her.

"Chrysalis, does not bow to anypony, I am a queen!" Chrysalis yelled to the dark shadows.

"A Queen you say!" The voice announced.

"Yes, I am the changeling Queen!" Chrysalis replied

"Chrysalis, I know of you, you have no subjects, yet you seek my help for your revenge, so you may reclaim your throne!" The voice stated knowingly.

"Will you help me?!" Chrysalis stated.

"I am not an Object! you will show respect to the only king!" A red aura surrounded Chrysalis, forcing her to kneel before the sheer power of the voice.

The shadow disappeared, and what appeared instead, was a unicorn with a pitch black pelt, with a dark menacing shadow following him, with eyes dyed, crimson from blood shed, and malice, with purple wisps coming from his green, and red eyes.

"My name is Sombra, and I will not help you, you will help me!" The unicorns voice boomed as he teleported Chrysalis, along with himself to the caverns, where he bound her with his magic.

Chapter 3 Black Ice, and Romance

Starlight and Thorax were enjoying themselves, and thankfully the awkwardness had subsided slightly. It had turned out to be a rather comfortable day, the temperature was warm, and the breeze was cool. It was the afternoon now, the sun had been setting, and the couple were sitting on a park bench watching it set. Starlight slid closer to Thorax, cuddling into him, Thorax blushed profusely. Starlight chuckled lightly at his reaction, she gave him a peck on the cheek.

"You're so cute when your like that." Starlight smiled.

"I have never been called cute before." Thorax replied, pondering what the word meant.

Thorax turned to Starlight, Starlight started to lean into Thorax, and Thorax followed Starlights' advances. Their eyes locked together, gazing dreamily at each other, as they started moving closer to each other. Thorax ran his hoof through her mane, as she came in so close, he could smell her fragrant perfume, it smelled of lilac and lavender, with hints of vanilla and honey.

Starlight could feel the warmth of his lips coming closer, she placed a hoof on his chest, feeling his heart thump gently, she could feel his gentle hoof running through her mane, they were about to have their first kiss, as dusk settled, casting gentle shades of orange, and purple through the cloud cover, as the couple drew closer.

"How's the lovebirds." Trixie interrupted the couple, before their lips could meet.

"Trixie-oh-hello what brings you here." Starlight stated pulling away like something had bitten her, she blushed brightly as she put her hooves in her lap, after brushing a few stray strands of her mane to the side, before looking away from Thorax, awkwardly. Thorax also pulled away, and looked away from starlight, becoming embarrassed also.

"Nothing really, Trixie was bored, and Trixie saw you and Thorax, so Trixie decided to come over. Trixie wants to know, what has Starlight been up to all day?" Trixie inquired, failing to realise what exactly she had just ruined.

"Well Thorax and I have been on a romantic date together today. We had breakfast together to start off with, while we ate we also saw Spike, and Ember together, having a date of their own. We then made our way to Canterlot, and went for a walk through the Canterlot Gardens, then we went bowling. We eventually had dinner, and ice cream, then we sat here and watched the sun set together." Starlight Explained, still very flushed.

"Is starlight okay, you look red?" Trixie stated oblivious to the reason why she was so embarrassed.

"Yes Trixie, I am fine, how was your day?" Starlight asked, starting to get a little irritated with her friend.

"Trixies' day was good, but a day is always good with the Great and Powerful Trixie. Thorax, you don't seem to be talking to much, are you okay?" Trixie asked, wondering why he was so silent, and her friends were acting so strange.

"Oh, I'm fine Trixie, I was just thinking that it's late, and we all should probably head back to our homes." Thorax replied kindly, trying to make an excuse, so Trixie would leave.

"It has become late, but Trixie insists that you join her for a drink, at Trixies place." Trixie Invited.

"Thank you Trixie, but I should be going I have a long flight to the changeling kingdom ahead of me." Thorax had become disheartened, when he realised that the moment was gone, and that they would have to wait for another perfect moment to share their first kiss.

After Thorax finished speaking, he gave Starlight a hug, and started making his way back to the changeling kingdom, Starlight gave him a peck on the cheek.

"Be safe, send me a fire message when you get back to your castle!" Starlight shouted as he was leaving.

"Would starlight join me, for a drink?" Trixie inquired.

"Thank you, but not tonight. I'm fairly tired, I might have an early night Tonight. Goodnight." Starlight forced a yawn after she replied. Starlight was a tiny bit annoyed at her friend, for ruining the moment, however she didn't hold it against Trixie, she knew that Trixie wasn't that mature for her age.

Chrysalis had been trapped in a dark dreary cavern, in complete darkness, the only light coming from the sinister red magic manacles binding her. It wasn't long till Sombra came into the light.

"What could you possibly want, from me Sombra?" Chrysalis stated.

"It's not what I want, it's what I need from you." Sombra replied.

"And what is it that I can give you, my rule is over, and I'm wanted by everypony in the entirety of Equestria. The only thing I have left is my desire to destroy Starlight glimmer!" Chrysalis spat.

"That is what I precisely need you for; your insatiable destructive desire. I have a plan to enact my revenge on the entirety of Equestria, and I need your help. If you swear your loyalty to me I'll release you, and we can obtain what we both desire, together." Sombra persuaded cunningly.

"How can I trust that you will not betray me like that traitor, Thorax!" Chrysalis stated, with an aura of rage.

"You have my word, trust me." Sombra purred.

"Fine, I'll swear my loyalty to you. But on one condition you leave Starlight, and her friends for me, and allow me to take over Twilights castle." Chrysalis stated defiantly. She didn't like how Sombra was acting, she knew he was up to something.

After Chrysalis was released, she followed Sombra to a secret chamber of black ice, and crystals, with a throne made from the black crystals.

"Well your majesty, what is your plan." Chrysalis stated with a small hint of venom to her tone.

"My plan is for me to use you, as a breeding tool for the army I need to build. You will become my Queen, you can do this willingly, or I can have your mind broken, the choice is yours." Sombra explained.

"You have got to be kidding, that's your plan, to use me..." Chrysalis stated Irately.

"You will submit to my wishes." Sombra replied darkly.

"For starters you are powerful, but you want me to help you, then don't order me to, there is another way to achieve your goal. Secondly I'm not your play thing, I have a better strategy." Chrysalis snapped bitterly.

Sombra was surprised, he had never had a pony apart from Luna, or Celestia, talk back to him with such fire, he started to like Chrysalis, and because of that, he would give her a chance to explain her plan.

"Explain your suggestion Chrysalis."

"My plan is simple, I will use my Changeling magic, to morph into Cadance again, and I'll order her soldiers directly to you, and then you can corrupt their minds, making fearlessly loyal soldiers." Chrysalis Explained.

Sombra pondered the plan in his mind, after several seconds, he decided to go with chrysalis on her plan.

"Fine, you may try your plan, but if you fail I will break your mind, and force you to do my will. Though the question persists, how will you convince the soldiers if you're Cadance, when she's already there?" Sombra inquired.

"I will divert her away from the Empire, by forging Twilights' penmanship, writing a letter to Cadance requesting her to visit Twilight. I'll also do the same with Cadances' penmanship, telling Twilight that Cadance will be visiting her. Classic miss direction." Chrysalis Explained.

"This should indeed work to our benefit." Sombra concluded.

Chapter 4 Thinning Patience

Thorax flew back to his kingdom, muttering irritably to himself as he made the long flight back. He had been Annoyed at Trixie ruining his perfect date. It was going to be great for the two to share their first kiss, the sun was setting beautifully. Thorax thought that maybe he could ask Celestia, to set the day up like that again... However, he realised as he thought about it, that he couldn't do that, she was the princess of Equestria.

Thorax let loose a sigh of exasperation, realising that he would just have to hope that their would be another perfect time. Thoraxs kingdom came into sight. The castle had changed, it was no longer so dark and foreboding.

The foliage around the castle had fully grown back, since the Maulwurf had been defeated. It had a closer resemblance to the Everfree forest now. Thorax made it to his beautiful kingdom, entering through the main halls where his brother Pharynx met him.

"Brother, how was the party? I would of loved to join you, but with Queen Chrysalis still on the loose I must prepare for every possibility. She could attack at anytime." Pharynx greeted kindly. Though Pharynx had changed considerably, he was still the hives protector, but he was just more accepting of the way things were now.

"Thank you Pharynx, but you should enjoy life as well. Yes Chrysalis is still out there, and is a threat, but that is no reason to not make friends. The party was great, you would of enjoyed it, I also have a fillyfriend now." Thorax explained before becoming embarrassed.

"Oh really, please tell me who is the lucky mare?" Pharynx stated, with interest.

"You remember Starlight Glimmer, well um, yeah, we kinda started dating." Thorax replied, turning a shade of red.

"I knew you would end up with her Thorax, I'm happy for you, and if she becomes your Queen, then I'll gladly give my life for her. I owe her that much, she helped me find my true self. Though it was reckless." Pharynx replied happily, he was so happy for his brother, and the potential future brood Queen.

"Oh, I don't know Pharynx, I think your getting ahead of yourself. We only just started dating, and that would mean we would have to get close to each other." Thorax replied, ending on a slightly sour note, that Pharynx picked up on.

"Thorax, whats the matter? you sound irritated." Pharynx replied.

"Oh, it's just... never mind, it's alright." Thorax started before stopping his sentence.

"Something is wrong, you cant lie to your brood brother." Pharynx pressed.

"You're right Pharynx, there is something I'm upset about. You know Starlights' best friend, Trixie." Thorax stated.

"Yeah, the really annoying one." Pharynx replied.

"It's just she ruined the moment between Starlight and I, we were going to share our first kiss, while the sun was setting, but she decided to interrupt us. Then we went our separate ways." Thorax explained.

"I see, I can throw her into the dungeon, if you like." Pharynx offered.

"That sounds... Oh no don't do that, we don't imprison our friends, even if they are annoying." Thorax considered the thought, before he disregarded it.

"If you say so, well you are probably tired from such a long flight, I have things organised over here. You get some sleep." Pharynx replied, concluding the conversation.

Thorax made it up to his chambers and used his magic to send a fire message to Starlight, telling her he arrived home safely, and within a second he received a reply saying good night.

Back in Ponyville, Starlight had been facing the same dissatisfaction with her best friend, Trixie. The timing had been perfect for them to share their first kiss, and they had such a great date, but it all ended in disaster, because of how narcissistic Trixie was. As she made it back to the castle again, she burst through the door with a huff, which earned a raised eye brow from Twilight.

"Starlight, whats the matter?" Twilight inquired.

"Its nothing Twilight, I'm just tired." Starlight snapped, as she continued stomping towards her chambers.

"Now you just hold on for one second." Twilight replied, picking up Starlight in a telekinetic grip, bringing her towards where she was sitting, before she sat her down, in the seat in front of her. "Now what happened." Twilight continued, sounding more, or less like Celestia.

"Well, its just that Trixie, ruined my first kiss with Thorax. She makes me so mad." Starlight Explained, with exasperation.

"I see, you know I was like you at one stage, I was annoyed at my friends. It was actually pretty recent, when I had to save Equestria from the storm king, I tried to steal a really powerful magical Item to save our land, but I was caught-"

"You mean that you actually tried to steal something, and had a friendship problem, with your own friends." Starlight abruptly stated, sounding a little shocked, with a hint of disbelief.

"Yes Starlight, I'm not perfect, no pony is. We all do things we regret, and I did regret it, because in my haste, my friends and the ponies of Equestria were blamed by Queen Novo, and we were cast out of Seaquestria. When we came to the shore line, I got into an argument with my friends. In that argument I said somethings that I wasn't proud of, and for a little while, I felt alone and lost, I had failed my duties as the princess of Friendship.

While I was distracted by my self pity, I was captured by Tempest. Although my friends were angry at me they still saved me, and we even made a new friend in the process.

The reason I told you this story Starlight, is because the last thing you want to do, is hide what you're feeling. Tell your friends about how they are making you feel, a lie is never the solution, it just hurts them. " Twilight explained, before hugging Starlight tenderly, like a mother hugging their daughter.

"I understand, your right, I shouldn't be angry. I'll explain to Trixie the reason why I acted, the way I acted, tomorrow." Starlight replied a lot calmer, embracing Twilight, before she started making her way, to her room.

Chrysalis, had returned to the surface of the Crystal Empire, after writing two letters, one to Twilight, and the other to Cadance.

She had her part of the plan firmly in her mind, she transformed into a Crystal Pony, and entered the town, before transforming again, this time into a crystal pony guard. She noticed Cadance and Shining Armour packing their bags.

Chrysalises' plan had been going well. Soon she would be able to disguise herself as Cadance, and start handing soldiers over to Sombra, and soon they would have their army. When they did, they would march on to conquer Equestria.

Chrysalis had felt the happiest she had been in a long time, she was finally going to take her revenge. She had planned out how she would make Starlight suffer, and how she would do the same to Thorax. She would corrupt Twilight, and force her to fight Starlight. She would do the same to Thorax she would corrupt Pharynx, and force Thorax to fight his own brother. Chrysalis started to smile, as she thought of her revenge.

She had to admit none of this would be possible, if it weren't for Sombra. Maybe she would become his Queen after all. He was powerful, and their offspring would be quite powerful. Even if she didn't love him, she would still have a use for him.

Chrysalis saw Sombra as nothing more then a tactical asset, one that she could use to attain what she wanted. Once he had lost his usefulness, she would discard him as a broken tool.

After Celestias' mother, Nova, took Chrysalises' Beauty away, she became cold. She had been the most desirable mare in the world 995 years ago. Nova was her best friend, until she stole her beloved away from her, she used her final dying breath to curse her. causing Chrysalis to become ugly, and unlovable.

Because of that, Chrysalis Heart Song died in East Dragonside Village, leaving a cold hard husk behind, that gave birth to what she was now. She no longer cared for anypony, or creature. They were all expandable, she would never be hurt again, instead, she would be the one who hurt ponies and creatures. She would spite her ex best friend, and rule the world, without love, making it illegal to love. Then the world would feel how she felt, cold and dead inside, that was her true intent for revenge.

Author's Note

For more about Chrysalises theoretic back story, you can read my other book, Prophecies of a Dragon.

Chapter 5 The Plot Thickens

It wasn't long till Shining, and Cadance had packed their belongings, and started making their journey to Ponyville. As Chrysalis saw them leave, she smiled inwardly, and walked outside, disguised as a guard pony, after waiting a few minutes to make sure Cadence had completely left, before transforming into Cadance, and re-approached the castle again, the guard stood at attention.

She sat upon Cadances throne, making herself comfortable, before chuckling under her breath, so the guards couldn't hear her. Her plan had been working, and now she could start the first phase of her devilish plan, to take over Equestria.

Finally taking her revenge on Novas' daughters, Celestia, and Luna. She would corrupt them, turning them into their alter evils, to fight Twilight, and eventually she would claim Twilight as one of her evil pawns, in her devious game of chess.

After she had finished her small victory laugh, she sent a fire message to Sombra, telling him to stay on the edge of the border, to prepare to receive his first squad of soldiers, hand-delivered to him.

Sombra did as he was requested, and set up just on the border, avoiding detection, he was ready, and he was waiting. Chrysalis ordered Cadances guards to patrol that specific area, she made up a story saying that she thought they had enemies on their borders, waiting to take over the empire once more. Which in a way, it wasn't a lie, just a bend in the truth.

The guards began their patrol at roughly 18:00, they had been making the rounds, there were about seven guards tasked with the patrol, and it started off normal, with nothing but the arctic lights guiding their way, however as the night progressed, the group of seven started to shrink, and it wasn't long till there was only one guard left. he turned around, and drew his sword shakily.

"Hell... Hello, anyone out there. Um, guys... This isn't that funny you know, it's my first patrol out here. yeah, I know rouse the greenhorn, but... but this is not funny, I'm freaking out. GUYS!" The rookie stated starting to panic, his heart thumped in his chest, his breaths became sharp, his knees started to buckle, underneath him.

Sombra appeared in front of the new soldier, the soldier jumped, dropping his weapon. He cowered, his body trembling with fear, as he looked at a black unicorn, with two big green eyes staring at him, with a menacing smirk on his face. The rookie knew this pony from his studies in the academy, it was Sombra, but he thought he was seeing a ghost, he knew spike destroyed him, the last time he returned.

It wasn't long till Sombras horn ignited the beautiful night sky, with an eerie red magic, filling the young guards' mind with visions of an army the size of a small nation, his mind was also assaulted with horrifying visages, of the same guards he was patrolling with, being tortured, and eventually, being brutally killed. The rookie started to panic, he screamed and ran back to the Crystal Empire, straight to Cadance, or so he thought.

"ha, ha, ha, everything is going precisely as planned." Sombra chuckled, as he watched the guard sprint off to the Crystal Castle, with delicious fear upon his face, and in his eyes.

The guard stormed through the Castle Gates, his eyes still green from the influence of Sombras' mind trick, the pony ran up to Cadance, and stated, trembling with fear.

"The...the squad, they... they were all killed... Som... Sombra has returned. we must... must evacuate, there is no time... he... he has a giant army!" The young guard screamed, his mind lost to fear.

"That can't be right, Spike destroyed him, I saw it!" Cadance replied.

"Most Excellently done Sombra, he's believable, now I'll have an excuse to send you more troops, although he was mentally scarred, it was worth it indeed." Chrysalis thought to herself, before responding in Cadances' voice. "Someone takes this pony to the medical ward, he needs to recover, I also need another seven volunteers to investigate, this rumor." As Cadance stated this another seven crystal guards stood up, fired up to avenge their comrades.

Meanwhile in Ponyville, Twilight had been expecting visitors, and they had arrived moments ago. The small group had been having a tea party together, when Starlight Glimmer walked in, with Thorax at her side. Thorax had been visiting Ponyville more often, since becoming Starlights' colt friend.

"Hello Starlight Glimmer, what brings you, and Thorax here?" Cadance waved at Starlight, hailing the two to join them, for tea, to catch up on things. Cadance had taken a liking to Starlight and was interested in what she was up to, whenever she visited Twilight.

"Well, Thorax and I are actually a couple, and we wanted to spend some time together." Starlight blushed furiously, as she started bashfully tapping her forehoof on the crystal floor, making a faint clacking sound.

"That's lovely, you two make a cute couple, and I can see the both of you working out. You will make a fine wife someday Starlight." Cadance replied kindly, she was happy that Starlight had met somepony she liked.

"W-W-W-Wife!" Starlight stammered, before turning bright red.

Cadance chuckled, at Starlights reaction, so did Twilight, she remembered seeing something like this in the human world, that her human doppelganger showed her a while back. It reminded her of an anime.

Thorax scratched the back of his head before replying bashfully, picking up Starlight, who fainted recently. "Oh no, I think I should take her to her room, so she can recover," Thorax replied, attempting to hide his own awkward blush.

"He's so sweet, they are perfect for each other, they remind me of what I was like when I was in school with shining. Speaking of relationships, when are you going to find a partner Twilight." Cadance stated as she took a sip of her tea.

"Well actually, I don't want a partner, but Celestia and Luna, have set up a date for me, I am so terribly nervous," Twilight replied tapping her two front hooves together, anxiously, with a slight blush.

"I remember when Celestia, and Luna, played matchmaker with me, it was terrible, they set me up with that bonehead jock, Buck Withers, but that's the past now, I'm sure he will like you Twilight, you're my beautiful little ladybug, and I'm sure the stallion you meet will see that two. What's the stallions name?" Cadance smiled playfully.

"His name is, Star Shield apparently, he is some well-respected knight from Trottinghem. Though he isn't supposed to be here till next month." Twilight explained casually

"Well Twily, if he hurts you, you tell me, and I'll set him straight!" Shining Armour chirped in, protectively.

"Why do you have to be so Protective, Shiny!?" Twilight replied indignantly, screwing her face at him.

"Hey, simmer down Twily, if I didn't protect you, then I wouldn't be your B.B.B.F.F." Shining stated, with a playful smirk, causing Twilight to poke her tongue at him. Shining Chuckled at her reaction, and the growing blush on her face.

"I'm sure she will be fine dear, she is a big girl, and can handle herself." Cadance replied, winking at Twilight, earning a small smile, from her sister in law.

Chapter 6 The Dark City Returns

Sombra's cape flowed in the wind as he walked forwards through the city gates, followed by the marching feet of his new soldiers.

The soldiers marched in rank, perfect in unison, their eyes glowing sickly red and green. No individuality, no minds, no thoughts, no fears. Only the will of King Sombra, the true ruler of the Empire.

The Crystal ponies in his path froze with delectable fear, standing motionless resembling crystal statues unable to move or even talk, they only gazed in horror as the tyrant pushed forwards.

It wasn't long till what was left of the pathetic force of untainted guards tried to put up some kind of resistance, but all they were met with was sadistic laughter, as the dark lord of the Crystal Empire ignited his horn in a sickly aura.

within an instant, the shadows of the soldiers suddenly shot up out of the ground; they desperately pleaded for mercy or fought against his oppressive magic, but without fail their minds were soon lost to the darkness and consumed by Sombras' will, turning them into nothing more than mindless drones.

Princess Cadence exited the castle, and the innocent Crystal Ponies looked up at her with bated breath, hoping that she would stand up to the Evil unicorn, and prevent the Crystal Empires fall, but any hopes died in their throat as Cadance was consumed by green fire, and in her place stood Queen Chrysalis.

"Excellent, you did better then I expected bug." Sombra jeered before he turned to his men. "Now then soldiers. Go forth, and Conquer this miserable excuse for an Empire!"

The Soldiers turned and marched forwards to bring Sombra's will to the rest of the Empire as Chrysalis walked forwards to Sombra. "What now... partner?" Chrysalis said with a crooked smile.

Sombra slowly turned to her, his green eyes filled with glee. "Now.... we get our revenge."

"Yes, its about time the true rulers took their rightful place. We will crush the pathetic elements of harmony and friendship and teach them that cruelty and despair outweigh hope, then finally the sweet satisfaction of mounting Thoraxes head on a Pike will be mine!" Chrysalis stated in a malicious tone.

"Yes, you could do that... but I have a better idea!" Sombra nodded.

"I hope for your sake you aren't trying to overthrow me Sombra... are you?" Chrysalis replied as her horn was consumed by a sickly green aura.

"You claim you want them dead?" Sombra stated nonchalantly raising an eyebrow.

"Yes! Thorax and Starlight took my kingdom from me! They ruined my plans!" Chrysalis Spat, slamming her hooves down.

Sombra smiled, and leaned back, as a brainwashed soldier came in and held out a chalice for him to take. "A spy of mine recently told me, that the two you want dead are in a relationship now. Tell me what would be better for you,"

Sombra took a sip of his new drink and smiled. "Would you rather have one of your enemies forced to kill the other, while he is self-aware, then torture him with the memories of his deed against the one he loves while he serves you?"

Chrysalis's mouth fell agape. "You really are evil." She stated.

"So I have been told," Sombra replied with a smile.

"Yes. I would love that!" Chrysalis shouted.

"You will have your vengeance and I'm all too happy to assist you," Sombra stated as he flicked his cape as he rose from Shining Armors former throne and walked off to begin his dark ritual.

Sombra waited till nightfall, and then he walked into a graveyard and found some hallowed ground, where he sacrificed a crystal pony and drew a demonic symbol with runes and a seven-pointed star in the center. Then he began to recite his dark ritual.

"Guarentor, faremen, collapial, torenthus, maximon, ardious, completus, corrupteth!" Sombra announced in the graveyard lit up in a sickly red light, his eyes turned black, the moon turned crimson, and the earth shook and cracked with a thunderous growl.

Sombra laughed evilly as his spell was completed.

As the moon rose, and the day became night, the ponies of Equestria went to bed, unbeknownst to what evil was lurking in the shadows tonight.

"What is this sickening feeling?" Luna thought aloud as she was patrolling the dream realm.

She followed the strange presence until she saw a shadow dash passed her. She caught a glimpse of its blue eyes and the evil aura that exuded from the strange creature. Once she tracked it down she could see a shadowy whisp with glowing blue eyes with a red aura around it with pointed claws.

The creature noticed Luna and growled at her, extending its claws, revealing its jagged teeth dripping with black tar.

"A shade? How? The only one who can summon a Shade is... No, it can't be... he is destroyed! I must warn my sister." Luna thought to herself, as she broke off into a gallop to head back to the portal to exit the dream realm, but the shade was too quick for her, and cut her off. It picked her up by the throat with its' claws and Scowled.

Luna released a bolt of magic, but it just passed through it.

"Ha ha ha, you think that will work... How naive!" The creature opened its mouth wide and absorbed Lunas' Light; once it had finished its feast it released Luna from its' grip, and she fell with a solid thump, before it vanished into a door, leading into someones' dream.

Luna came to, struggling to stand. She began crawling to the portal before entering it. she re-entered her body with a gasp, and attempted to sprint to her sisters' chambers, but she only just managed to pass the threshold of her doorway, before she fell to the floor with a thump, and fell unconscious.

Thorax had been laying beside Starlight, he realized that he had just woken up for some reason, and he also noticed that it was stormy outside, and the moon had changed to crimson. He didn't pay much mind to the crimson moon, he just put it down to Luna wanting to change it up.

Luna had outdone herself, the moon was beautiful, even though it had been raining you could see it slightly behind the clouds, but it was soon covered by a large dark cloud turning the night pitch black for a moment, but as it masked the light a flash of lightning shot through the sky, and Thorax could have sworn he saw a unicorn in Starlights' chambers.

Thorax reacted by drawing his sword to protect his special somepony, as the moon revealed itself again letting light into the room, he realized his eyes weren't playing tricks on him, there was a grey unicorn standing at the end of the room, silently watching the couple while they slept.

Thorax approached the figure, but as he did he felt a strange urge to turn around and face Starlight, once he was facing his sleeping Special Somepony, he started to walk towards her. He stood beside her bed, and he heard a distorted voice enter his mind.

"You know you want to do it"

He tried to stop his hoof from moving, but to no avail, he no longer had control over his body. His hoof was raised high, he pointed the sword at Starlight, and he realized what he was about to do next. He fought harder then he had ever fought, but his hoof remained raised above the sleeping unicorn. His hoof began to tremble as he resisted harder, he couldn't beat the force that had been controlling his body. He tried to wake her up and get her to safety, but when he spoke he couldn't make any noise.

"What has she done for you? She cares more about her friends than you. She is only with you out of pity. Go on... teach her the meaning of respect. Just let go, let me guide you." Thorax resisted even harder, but his hoof started lowering down on its own.

He tried screaming, but there wasn't a sound to be heard. Thorax had finally lost his will to fight against this oppressive power, he plunged the sword towards Starlight with killing intent.

Author's Note

I hope you enjoy this chapter guys and gals this chapter has been made in collaboration with Disappointment-Incarnate visit his profile and help a bro out and support him he is an amazing author this chapter wouldn't have been possible without his help.

Chapter 7 The Kings' Return

Celestia stirred awake with a familiar yet foreboding feeling, she became worried for her sister; she had once felt this particular feeling of lingering evil before, when Luna was losing herself to the forces of darkness, becoming nightmare moon. Celestia got out of bed, hastily trotting to her sisters' chambers.

She saw Lunas' door open, and her precious sister sprawled on the floor; she immediately rushed over to her side. She was completely out of it, and the colors of her fur and wings seemed to have been growing darker. Celestia ran up to her sister and grabbed her.

"Luna!... Luna are you ok!" She shouted, shaking her.

Luna weakly fluttered her eyes open, she had grown weak from her encounter with the shade.

Celestia noticed, that her sisters' blue eyes had developed slitted pupils, she was worried that history may repeat itself, However, that was at the back of her mind, because she also noticed that her sister was fading fast, and that was of greater importance than what happened in the past.

"Celestia…" She started, her voice hoarse. "he's... back..." Luna trailed off as she started losing consciousness once again.

"Lulu Stay with me, I can't lose you again. who is back?" Celestia pressed with urgency and a mixture of sadness and woe.

Lunas' Eyes slowly opened as she grew weaker by the second.

"So...mbra has returned... It's... too late for me... go... Twilight... is... in danger..." Luna stated before fully falling unconscious.

Celestia rose from her position, igniting her horn in a brilliant golden light. Teleporting herself to Twilights' castle. She rushed into Twilights Castle as fast as her hooves could take her, once she made it to the main hall, she could hear Thoraxs' cries of pain resonating through the halls, Celestia hoped she hadn't been too late.

She could tell that the cries were coming from Starlights' Chambers, however, as she entered Starlights' chambers, Thorax was in the bed, clearly suffering, he was crying and sweating profusely; visibly flinching with grimace. He whimpered in pain as he thrashed about in bed.

Though Starlight didn't seem to wake up regardless of what was happening to Thorax. Celestia figured she had been charmed.

Celestia ignited her horn once more, weaving a spell to enter Thoraxs' dreams. She saw Thorax with his sword raised high about to pierce Starlights side, as he plunged his sword towards Starlight, Celestia fired a bolt of magic shooting Thoraxs' blade, shattering the blade.

Thorax realized what happened, and bellowed a vicious war cry, as he charged at Celestia; Celestia dodged the attack, but as she dodged Thoraxs' attack, she saw the Shade in the corner of her eye charging at her.

Celestia fired a bolt of magic at Thorax, knocking him out, so she could concentrate on the Shade fast approaching her, with a maddening rage.

Celestia reacted quickly by creating a shield around herself, as the shade made contact with the shield, a small buzzing sound could be heard as his claws glanced off the shield.

Celestia teleported back gaining some distance from the shade, before releasing several bolts of magic at the foul creature; the bolts whizzed straight through the creature as if it were made from smoke.

The creature hissed venomously as it rose a single gnarled claw. A ball of sickly green magic started forming and once it was fully formed the shade targeted Celestia with the spell. Celestia dodged the bolt of Eldritch Magic before, she summoned her regalia to her.

"AS NIGHT BECOMES DAWN... AND THE DAWN BECOMES TWILIGHT... I SUMMON LIGHT BRINGER, LISTEN TO MY COMMAND, AND EXECUTE MY FOE" As Celestia finished reciting her ritual, she was engulfed by a blinding golden aura, her eyes turned white with power as it flowed through her, her main began to whip wildly, as a scepter made from pure light revealed itself.

She aimed skyward before aiming at the shade in one swift motion and within an instant, a beam of bright white light shot from the heavens. The shade attempted to dodge the beam, but wasn't fast enough, the beam soon met its mark, disintegrating the Shades arm.

The creature howled in pain before it flew through the opened balcony doors, and vanished into the night, Celestia began to return back to normal, after she had fully powered down, she cast a spell to leave Thoraxs mind. Once she was back in the room, she woke up Thorax to see if he was ok.

"Cel...Celestia why are you here?" Thorax stated groggily rubbing his eyes.

"Don't you remember?" Celestia inquired.

"Remeber what?" Thorax held a confused expression

Celestia tried to cast a spell on Thorax to allow him to remember, but as she tried her horn fizzled out, she assumed the last spell she cast had taken to much of her mana to cast another. Celestia explained what happened in the dream world, and wondered why Starlight had still been sleeping, although between the noise and Thoraxs thrashing would have been more than enough to wake up anypony.

"I did all of that and I can't remember a thing about it. I hope I didn't hurt anypony," Thorax replied with a heavy feeling of regret.

"No, you didn't harm anypony Thorax, I saved you before you could," Celestia replied in a motherly tone, finally calming down after her fight with the shade. She had been grateful that she had defeated the shade before it could harm any other pony, especially Twilight, her adopted daughter figure. "You best get back to sleep Thorax your safe now, that creature will not come back."

"ok, your right I have a long flight tomorrow, I need to warn pharynx about this new evil we must put the changeling guard on high alert." Thorax had been living up to the expectation of a true ruler putting his ponies first and his emotions last.

As Celestia left the room, she stopped by Twilights chambers to ensure that the shade had fully gone. Celestia thought Twilight looked darker than normal, however, she sided that it was nightfall so her eyes could be misleading her.

As Celestia was leaving the castle she placed a ward on the Castle, protecting it from evil spirits. However, something had been bothering her about the shade. She felt like she knew who the shade was before it was corrupted.

Once she headed back to her castle, she rushed to Luna who had been recently moved into her chambers upon her navy blue super queen bed. however, there had been a change in her appearance now she had looked a lot more like Nightmare moon now. Seeing her precious lulu in this state made her nervous, she didn't want to have to banish her again, so Celestia preemptively stationed her most powerful unicorn guard at her door.

His name was Crimson Blade, he was accidently transported into this dimension when Twilight had tried casting a spell from Star Swirl The Beardeds' grimoire. The spell went terribly wrong summoning a pony and satyr from another dimension. Crimson Blade entered the dimension first, but it wasn't all heroes, an old villain had appeared from the spell as well. It also brought back The Storm King, who was once defeated, but he was now free and alive again.

Celestia had known of his existence, however. Celestia had been searching for the satyr, but she didn't know where he fled too. After Twilight, Tempest and her friends tried to defeat him again.

She had set a nationwide bounty for Storm King, she hoped he would be found before he could retrieve his staff from the forbidden vault that Celestia kept all of her most powerful magical items in, both collected by her, and reclaimed from the villains of Equestria.

As Thorax had finally fallen asleep once again, he had a vision enter his mind; he was standing in Equestria although it was destroyed, and as he started to walk through the remains of Equestria, he came to Canterlot castle, or more, what was left of it.

He entered through the now broken doors, he saw Starlight laying lifelessly on the ground. Filled with concern Thorax tried to run towards her to see if she was alright, however, he was halted in his tracks, by a charcoal changeling, wearing gunmetal black armor, with red glowing eyes, with whisps coming from the corner of its' eyes; he had a domineering smile, adorning his charcoal carapace, emphasizing his tyrannical white smile, he made a low chuckle as he looked down at Thorax.

The shadowy Changling shot a beam of chaotic red magic resembling red lightning at Thorax, sending him sprawling over the floor.

Thorax got up off of the floor and recovered, "who are you, what have you done to Starlight?" Thorax ignited his horn

"Who am I? You already know who I am don't you? and as for what happened to Starlight, you happened to her... all of this was your doing." The changling stated in a deep commanding voice that sent chills up Thoraxs' Spine.

"Your lying you did this. I'll ask again, who are you." Thorax replied as his horn started to buzz with energy.

"My name is Shadowrax; I have another name too I use to be called Thorax. and yes I did this I'm the better you. A king without equal... now begone filth." Shadowrax shouted, releasing a powerful streak of red lightning, hitting Thorax with remarkable precision.

Thorax was sent flying through the doors, to the base of the stairs leading up to the castle. He looked up as he saw Shadowrax slowly approaching, he heard sadistic laughter as he finally lost consciousness.

Author's Note

Regalia (The ensigns or emblems of royalty, as the crown or scepter.)

That is the definition of the word Regalia for those of you who like to learn new words and this for those of you who don't know the meaning of the word.

A special thanx to my co-author Disappointment-incarnate

Chapter 8 Darkness Falls

Thorax awoke in his room once more, he saw his carapace darkening, he didn't understand why this was happening, but he had to guess that it was due to his run-in with a shade. He looked over to Starlight Glimmer, and noticed that she was sleeping still, he tried to gently wake her up with a kiss, as he would normally. However as he kissed her, he noticed something odd. She was feeling cold, and at a closer inspection, he noticed a small black shadowy sigil marking her forehead, that had eerie dark smoke filtering off of it.

Thorax became concerned for Starlights' well being. He ran through the halls, towards Twilights' chambers. He burst through the door, causing Twilight to stir awake suddenly.

"Twilight Starlight Problem help," Thorax incoherently shouted with a tone of urgency, and worry.

"Thorax, what's wrong? is Equestria under attack?!" Twilight stated as she hastily leaped out of her bed, following Thorax as he led the way.

Once the two made it to Starlight, Twilight became extremely frightful when she noticed that Starlight had been levitating, her eyes had gone cold and black, as black wisp-like magic hung to her like dark tendrils.

"Starlight?" Twilight stated in confusion.

"We are not this one, we have no name, we are everywhere, and yet nowhere; we are never sated, we lye where darkness creeps and light weeps. It has been many moons since we feasted; it makes us salivate when we thinks of devouring this world." Starlight purred in a strange voice, that sounded dark, distorted, and evil.

"Release Starlight, whatever you are." Twilight stated, igniting her horn.

"hm we thinks this is not a good idea, you care for this one, and you wouldn't want to hurt this one." The strange Starlight Chuckled.

Twilight had to come up with a solution, but she couldn't think of one. She couldn't attack Starlight without hurting her, and she couldn't enter her mind, she wasn't Luna or Celestia. She had to do something, but what could she do. Twilights horn dimmed and she turned to Thorax.

"Find Starswirl, he can help, he'll know what magic is at work," Twilight Stated to Thorax with concern.

"Where is he?" Thorax stated as he was rushing outside the door.

"I believe he is exploring the crystal Empire, find him quickly!" Twilight shouted with growing urgency.

"We believe this one will be devoured before you can find that one!" The Strange Starlight stated venomously.

Thorax began his travel towards the Crystal Empire, in the hopes of finding Starswirl. After a few hours of travel he made it to the Crystal Empire, but everything looked quite different now. The ice had turned black, and sickly green lightning shot over the sky where the empire was. Thorax couldn't help but feel the growing darkness in this land.

As he got closer to the Crystal Empire, he noticed that the Crystal Castle had transformed into black crystal, and he also noticed a strange red and black banner hanging above the castle gates.

"What is going on here?" Thorax thought to himself.

"Some creature has strayed far from home, haven't they." A deep and dark voice boomed from behind Thorax.

Thorax whipped around and released a bolt of blue lightning, but it just passed straight through the smoke silhouette. He looked at the figure of smoke and he recognized the pony, it had been Sombra.

"Now that is no way to greet someone," Sombra stated, as he engulfed Thorax in a red magic, before turning into his true form and looking directly at Thorax. "You must be Thorax... I have heard so much about you. What brings you here bug?" Sombra stated casually.

"Sombra? you should be dead!" Thorax replied, filled with a form of hatred.

"You dare speak to your king in such a way! I'll teach you something about respect!" Sombra replied venomously, before electrocuting Thorax. "You are nothing but a nuisance." Sombra continued before slamming him into the black ice.

"You are... not... a king!" Thorax spat.

Sombra became enraged at the insult, and ignited his horn, but dimmed it once again, realizing that Thorax had been provoking him.

"Very Clever. but your strategy is woefully inept." Sombra stated. "Now, answer the question. Why are you here?!"

Thorax remained silent, he didn't want Sombra to know about Starlight by any means. So Sombra couldn't use her against him, however little did Thorax know that Sombra had already known about Starlight, and was using her to lead Thorax into a trap.

"Hmm, so that's how you're going to be... well then I can loosen your tongue." Sombras Horn ignited and surrounded Thorax in a red aura.

Thorax couldn't help himself, he felt compelled to tell Sombra his answer, whatever Sombra had just done to him, it made him feel like if he didn't answer, he would go insane.

"I'm in search of Starswirl, I need him to save Starlight Glimmer. I love her, and need her to be alright." Thorax replied as he writhed in pain, it was like something had been prying the answers away from his mind.

"Good... it's about time you cooperated. However, unfortunately, Starswirl is otherwise engaged at the moment ha, ha." Sombra summoned a magical window, that showed Starswirl trapped in a dungeon somewhere. "Just how far will you go to save Starlight, Thorax..." Sombra purred.

Sombras magic had still been at work, and once again Thorax was compelled to answer. "I would do anything for her."
Thorax replied finally giving up against this oppressing power. He hadn't known how Sombra had managed to get so powerful after being destroyed.

"Good, such a pity your loyalty was not given to your queen, but how about I offer you a deal, in exchange for your dear Starlight I'll remove the demon if... you will become my slave, accepting my dark influence. If you don't do this she will die..." Sombra stated cunningly.

"Only if you promise me, that you will not hurt her." Thorax replied, realizing that he didnt care what happened to him, as long as Starlight was safe. He would find some way to escape Sombras' Grasp.

"Yes, of Course, I won't harm her." Sombra chuckled inwardly, however, Thorax could tell there was something off, but what other choice did he have.

Thorax accepted Sombras' deal with gritted teeth, he shook Sombras hoof and as he did, he felt all of the love and hope disappear out of him, and was soon replaced by pure darkness, and despair.

"One foe falls, another to go, and Starlight will fall." Sombra smiled, as he saw the light draining from Thoraxs' eyes.

"Wait, gah... no this... this is not what we agreed too... you lied..." Thorax pleaded through clutched teeth.

"Lied... I haven't lied, I said I wouldn't hurt her, that didn't mean you wouldn't," Sombra replied. "Do not worry, I will keep my word, the demon possessing Starlight will be removed, that was only my bait for you, so you would come to us, and you played your part well. Oh no we have another plan for dear Starlight." Sombra laughed maniacally.

"No... I'll kill you... ah... for this..." Thorax cried as he lost all of his desire to do good. His carapace soon changed to charcoal, his vibrant colors became darker, his eyes changed to red, wisps formed from the corner of his eyes, magical black steel armor formed around his torso, and his wings changed from translucent bug-like wings to leathery black dragon wings.

"Thats what they all Say." Sombra grinned satisfied.

After the transformation he fell to the ground, Thorax then Rose to Sombras' eye level.

"How do you feel?" Sombra inquired.

"I feel... free my lord... Like I have to destroy something... no, someone I love... no, loathe, someone I hate... yes someone I want dead! I must Kill Starlight Glimmer!" Thorax darkly stated.

"Good Thorax... hm, Thorax isn't a good fit for you anymore, you need a new name... Yes, I believe you shall be called Shadowrax from now on, as my newest commander." Sombra chuckled zealously, as he committed his new puppet to his legion. The plan Chrysalis and Sombra formulated had been coming together nicely.

Sombra, although evil, was a pony of his word, he purged the demon from Starlight entirely, but that wasn't for Thoraxs benefit alone, there was more to the story yet to be revealed. Sombra and Chrysalis had a plan for Starlight, something beyond Thoraxs wildest imaginings, a darker scheme was at work.

Chapter 9 Awakening

2 Days Earlier...

Starlight found herself floating in a void of endless darkness, in pure agonizing silence, there was nothing to be seen or heard, just more endless space that had no end or beginning. Time felt like it was slower here; for some strange reason, she felt like she had been walking for hours or days, she couldn't tell.

"Hello, is anyone there?" her voice just echoed back to her.

Suddenly, the pitch black nothingness started to crack like ice, allowing small shafts of light to pierce the void. Soon enough the void exploded outwards, and blinding light filtered into the room.

Starlights' eyes took a while to adjust to the change of brightness, but after they had adjusted she could see thoraxs' brilliant purple bug-like eyes, though he wasn't smiling, he held a grave expression upon his face. Thorax reached down, with a hoof.

"What's wrong?" Starlight asked.

"Oh, its nothing, I just missed you." Thorax smiled falsely.

Starlight knew better than that, she had been with Thorax for a while now and Thorax was a terrible Liar when it came to her, She became worried for Thorax.

"Thorax, you know you can't lie to me." Starlight stated, as she made it onto an ethereal landing.

Thoraxs' Expression became pained, he knew he couldn't lie to her, however, he had to do something to comfort her; so he embraced her tightly.

Starlight felt Thoraxs' warmth around her from his embrace, but it wasn't a normal hug, it felt strangely like a goodbye.

Thorax sobbed as light swallowed them, and he held onto her for as long as he could, before he was suddenly pulled away from her. Starlight felt Thorax being forcefully pulled away.

"Starlight I'll Always love you!" He cried out. She tried to reach out to him, but he was gone so fast.

"THORAX!" Starlight yelled, as she woke up in her chambers surrounded by her friends.

Present day...

Thorax had been growing darker by the second. The seeds of corruption had been growing; he soon all but forgot about what he was like before he was evil. Even his undying love for Starlight had faded, as the days passed.

Shadowrax had been training soldiers in the method of casting changeling magic, and forcing a few of the civilian mares in the Crystal Empire, to provide him with sultry entertainment, due to his new found control over Sombras' power.

He had noticed a few things since being turned evil, he could use all of Sombras' magic as if it were his own, he didn't even have to know what he had to do to cast the magic. He was amazed at his potential power.

Sombra Soon entered Shadowraxses' Chambers' to check up on how his new ally was handling himself.

"Shadowrax how do you like your new chambers." Sombra inquired taking note of a group of foals Shadowrax had ordered to build his castle. Sombra smiled as he watched the foals toil away in the blazing son, lifting large crystals and struggling with every inch they had to carry them.

"They were too small, so I ordered these pathetic ponies to build me something bigger, and I specifically ordered the foals to do it for my enjoyment, there suffering is music to my ears." Shadowrax Chuckled.

"That is admirable Shadowrax, tell me," Sombra started with a venomous glint to his eye. "What would you do if you encountered your former friend Starlight Glimmer."

"I would force her friends to watch as I tore her limb from bloody limb, then I'd mount her head on my wall as a trophy!" Shadowrax Zealously shouted.

"I see myself in you, and that is reason enough to not have you as my slave, but as my protege." Sombra evilly purred with a sweet sense of nostalgia.

"I'm glad to be of service to you My Lord," Shadowrax stated politely. Shadowrax noticed a foal approach him with a question.

"Lord, may I have some water?" A young foal asked Shadowrax thinking that the once good changeling still had compassion.

"Water? well is my castle done, it doesn't look like it is... then you best hurry up and build it, then you can have your drink!" Shadowrax boomed.

Sombra laughed evilly, before heading back to the throne room, his guards in toe, as his cape flicked in the wind.

Chrysalis stood out of Sombras and Shadowraxses' sight, her back pressed against a wall. She sneered viciously as Sombra made Shadowrax his new apprentice.

That was Thorax, the weakest of her children, a weakling who held the dubious honor of being the most pathetic changeling, and yet, he had somehow become one of Sombra's most trusted servants! "You little upstart!" Chrysalis hissed as she glared at him with a burning rage.

She saw Sombra walk off, followed by his guards. This was her chance to show Thorax where he belonged; beneath her hooves.

As soon as Sombra was out of sight, she left her cover and closed in on Shadowrax. Shadowrax turned his head to his incomplete castle. Chrysalis marched directly up to him, and shoved her face milimimeters away from his.

"Chrysalis, any closer and we'd kiss," Shadowrax said as he took a step back. "What do you want?"

Chrysalis hissed at him. "You insolent wretch, I created you." She took a step forwards. "How dare you?"

"How dare I what?" Shadowrax grinned. He knew exactly what she was refering too, he had noticed her long ago, leaning in the shadows, he just pretended to be ignorant to her presence.

Chrysalis practically roared in response. "How dare you try to usurp me for a second time!"

"That is no challenging task, these foals could run a kingdom better than you." Shadowrax arrogantly stated.

Chrysalis Suddenly backhanded the dark Changeling King. His head turned to the side and he took a step back. He immediately glared before he turned to her with rage on his face. All of this stopped when he felt a piercing pain in his head. That's when he remembered. The spell had made him Chrysalis's slave as well, not just Sombras', and he was magically compelled to follow her every order.

"Bow," Chrysalis stated with rage thick in her voice. Shadowrax immediately fell to his knees and prostrated himself. "Good, it looks like your new position, has at least given you the ability to follow orders." Chrysalis raised a hoof, so that it was level with Shadowraxses' mouth. "Lick." She commanded. "Show everyone in this pathetic empire who your master is, and lick my hooves."

Shadowrax hesitated before he slowly moved his head forward and ran his tongue along the hooves of his master. That was when she grabbed Shadowraxses' chin and forced him to look her directly in the eyes. "Don't you forget this you pathetic grub. No matter what happens, I will always be your master!" She shouted as she held him in place, then she threw the changelings head to the ground and stormed off.

Shadowrax slowly rose to his hooves after she had gone. He growled when he saw that his servants had stopped working to watch what was happening. He stared upwards at them. "Get back to work you pathetic dogs, or I'll have you fed to Cerberus." He shouted, causing the foals to panic and labor twice as hard.

He slowly turned his head to the direction Chrysalis had walked in. His eyes narrowed and he hissed.

he smiled and straightened his back. "Well Chrysalis, you have just signed your death warrant."

Author's Note

This chapter is brought to you by Bronyprophet and Co Author - Disappointment-incarnate we have been working in collaboration for this entire book for your enjoyment.

Chapter 10 Frightful Revelations

Starlight had been sleeping in Twilights' Castle, under constant night guard by a decree placed by Celestia. Celestia had issued this with the strange paranormal activity that surrounded Twilights' Castle. while Luna recovered from whatever plagued her deepest psyche. However, it wasn't a peaceful nights sleep, she was being plagued by her own terrors of the night.

Starlight felt the cold and sickening taint of evil magic running rampant through the Crystal Empire as she roamed through the once beutiful place. She saw the Crystal Ponies suffering miserably, their eyes were hollowed out, and their faces were masked by dark shadows.

She noticed that the naturally bright transeunt pelts of the crystal ponies, had all but faded into dull shadows of the former beauty they shared, when the northern lights bathed them in brilliant greens and blues. They were filled with darkness; you could physically see the sorrowful despair filling their very souls.

As Starlight continued to walk through the now tainted Crystal Empire, she saw more suffering and despair. She could see the crystal heart shattered on the ground, blackened from evil magic.

At the front of the Castle entrance, she saw a pile of bodies with a silhouette of a reformed changeling standing upon a mountain of bodies. She moved closer before the ground gave way, dropping her into a graveyard. She rose from the ground that had turned into soil, and when she looked around she noticed that she was surrounded by tombstones, she looked at the graves closely, noticing the name of the one changeling, she didn't wish to see written upon a headstone; and the changelings' name that was written, was 'Thorax,' and soon; She saw undead claws reach out of the grave dragging her down to the depths of Gehenna.

Starlight woke up with a scream, covered in cold sweat. She composed herself after realizing that it was only a terrifying nightmare; she soon heard a voice in her mind that she didn't recognize.

"My Protege will become more powerful then you could ever imagine, and will bring Equestria to its' knees."

However, the night had been restless for another pony who had been suffering in silence deep within her psyche. Luna had been in a fight with her inner demons, while she slept nearly lifelessly, her breathing was shallow, and her body grew colder with each passing moment, her pelt had also grown slightly darker. She was reliving her childhood, and all of the events leading up to becoming Nightmare Moon.

Luna had been trying to fight off the demons' influence with everything in her arsenal, and all of the power she could muster, but as her demons grew stronger she grew weaker. Her magic had been fading rapidly. She knew she would not be able to keep the demon at bay for much longer.

"Luna, stop fighting me... let your inner self-take over, you will have everything you wanted... and more. give into your hate."

"I'll never give into hatred, I have friends now, the ponies of Equestria love and respect me! I will never let you leave here, even if I die trying! I will never release that nightmare from her chains!" Luna glared with disgust at the shade with an insatiable rage.

"You can only keep me here for so long... SUBMIT!" The shade boomed as his claws ignited in bright crimson, draining more of Lunas' magic from her.

Luna howled in pain as she felt the very connection to her magic being torn from her. She resisted slowly turning the beam of red magic from red to blue.

"I will... not argh... let you!" Luna stated weakly as she formed a shield of magic around her and sent the shade flying, repelling its crushing influence. Luna released her magic as the shade recovered. She could feel her strength waning with every time she resisted him, she had to get to her sister somehow, they could only defeat this shade together.

She ignited her horn faintly, exiting her own prison briefly returning to her body, she gasped as she sat up suddenly. Celestia jumped back, she hadn't been expecting Luna to awake.

"Lu-Celestia, I don't have time... you... must... enter the portal... I'm under attack from the shade." Luna opened a portal into the dream world with her last ounce of strength, before she fainted, becoming unconscious again, returning to the prison she created. The portal started to rapidly close. Celestia reacted, diving through the portal within an instant.

This had been the first time she had entered the dream realm. The first thing she noticed was how strange it looked, it was a massive hallway with doors on either side. The floor resembled the universe filled with stars colored in vibrant and soft blues, greens, and reds, swirling together filled with a myriad of different colored stars.

But her admiration had to wait, she heard Lunas screams coming from the door at the end of the hall. The dream world had slowly started to collapse around her, transforming from its majestic beauty into a horrific nightmare.

Celestia galloped towards the end of the hall, trying not to stumble while the world shook and creaked, growing only darker as the very fabric of Lunas' magic was ripped from her body.

Celestia made it to the end of the hall. She blasted the door and it shattered open. She was surprised at how much her magic had grown from entering the dream realm.

Celestia saw her dear sister struggling, Luna had collapsed to her knees and her horn was gradually flickering as her magic began to deplete.

Luna only had enough power to create a small shield to protect her. Celestia added her magic to lunas magic and they started to gain ground. Their combined strength was a formidable force and the shade began to struggle as his sickly red beam began to return.

Luna had started to rise from the ground with her new found strength. However, the shade bellowed a rage-filled cry before moving his sickly claws together increasing his magics' strength, absorbing both luna and Celestias' magic at the same time.

The beam gradually became wider and more potent, the shade started gaining ground once again in the epic game of magical tug of war. It wasn't long till Celestias' magic began to wane.

The shade only seemed to grow stronger before it all but completely shorted out Celestias magic, hitting luna directly as her shield finally shattered, and the beam made contact with Luna's chest. Luna screamed in pain as the prison fell apart, leaving nothing but a void of what it once was.

"LULU! NO!" Celestia screamed before she was sent flying as Lunas' horn, shattered into midnight blue shards.

Celestia fell from the shockwave as Lunas' horn shattered. She looked up and she saw a pony she recognized but hadn't seen in over a century.

"WHAT... NO, IT CAN'T BE... YOU'RE DEAD!" Celestia exclaimed with shock.

Author's Note

Thank you for bearing with me while I release chapters, I have been very busy. As always a special thanx to disappointment incarnate. If you are curious about the word transeunt and gehenna this is what they mean.

Transeunt
(of a mental act) producing an effect outside of the mind.

Gehenna
The archaic meaning of the grave or a hellish place

Chapter 11 Era of The Dark Crystal

Thorax had finally finished his castle; he sat upon his throne in delight, as he marveled at his accomplishment. However there was a little voice in the back of his mind telling him that this was morally wrong, though, it was gradually fading. His inner evil desires started to become more dominant with each passing day, he began to feel more like how he imagined Sombra felt.

While he sat upon his throne a thought crossed his mind, and this brain child would eventually control his every action. This thought was about what he'd do now, and when it came into fruition, he decided that he didn't want to be second best, he wanted to succeed Sombra, destroy Chrysalis and instate himself as the new overlord; Shadowrax thought it was ingenious.

Thoraxs' corruption had only grown; a black aura started surrounding him, and wherever he walked was soon covered in despair. if he touched Anything living it soon died from his touch, even the waters he drank from, soon became blackened and corrupted, and if a creature drank from the same waters it would soon succumb to his growing dark magic; turning them into his personal minions in this elaborate, and dark game of chess. He had become a true blight upon Equestria, leaving death, and corruption in his wake.

However, as Shadowraxis' power grew, paranoia began to set its' gnarled roots in Chrysalises' mind, she began to wonder if this was the right course to follow, as she started to fear her agreement with Sombras proposal. It terrified her that he may betray her, However, she was decisive in her strategy, she had already been planning ahead; to betray Sombra first, by researching weaknesses in Sombras magic.

She wasn't naive however, she expected something to happen eventually, but she was playing coy for the time being; although, she was shrewd enough to see her eventual betrayal, though, she had only seen a glimpse of Sombras' true power, and she was misled in her thinking, her strategy depended on Thoraxs' protective bind.

Though she wasn't the only one scheming, Thorax had also been researching in the library in the crystal empire, and he had stumbled on something that would work perfectly with his brilliant plan and aspirations. He knew that he would inevitably become a threat and either Sombra, chrysalis or both would betray him; except his strategy was a little more thought out and subtle. He had been researching places of power, and he had found out about one place.

The same place where Sombra gained his power from when he declared war on the Sun, for his dissuaded love for Luna, where the alicorn amulet was forged with dark magic, which granted him the power of an alicorn.

The place was Known as the abyss of darkness. Thorax wanted to go to this place and forge his very own magical item of extreme power, to become even more powerful, then even Sombra and all of the ruler classes in Equestria; The one Item to rule them all.

The strategy to defeat the elements of Harmony, and help Chrysalis attain her vengeance, was at the back of his mind, though he would play their game, he would have another motive. He would bide his time and wait for the right moment to make his move.

Shadowrax decided this when Chrysalis humiliated him in front of his subjects', the rage he felt only festered and drove him into madness, and fueled an overpowering lust for power. He would crush the worlds greatest villains one at a time and become the one true dark lord.

With the paranoia growing in the Crystal Empire it was only a matter of time before a power struggle broke out, and would decide who would be the leader of the dark conquest to follow, and with all of the distrust, the crystal heart had begun to crack, and if it eventually shattered it would once more bring the Empire to a new era of darkness.

Starlight had made it to Ponyville station with her heart set on rescuing her love, but as she reached the train station, it was destroyed and the only thing that lingered, were dead ponies unfortunate enough to be there when the attack occurred, along with the dead was smoldering rubble, all that remained of Ponyville Station.

Starlight looked towards the Empire, and she could visibly see an eerie green light in the sky lingering over the Empire. Starlight also noticed standing amongst the ruins of the train station, were two incredibly menacing creatures.

They resembled living flames, shadow like smoke clung to them, the sight was only further illustrated by the sound of crackling, as if they were set aflame, the smell of sulfur and ash had been so potent, that it choked the life out of anything living, upon their backs were black wings made of smoke, upon their heads were a pair of menacing gnarled black ivory horns adding to the terrifying sight. There was an ominous feeling about these strange creatures, something that should not have been uncovered from whatever hell they spawned from.

Shining peered around a corner as he took cover, leaning against a piece of rubble.

"What are they?" Shining Armor bewilderedly whispered.

"They look like demons." Cadence narrowed her eyes at them and gritted her teeth charging her horn.

"That isn't good." Starlight whispered. "How do we get past them, they look too strong for us to fight alone." Starlight looked towards Cadence and Shining.

"Anyone have any ideas?" Shining said as he pressed his back against the wall.

"Not really," Cadence replied, "Demons are really powerful. We may need help." She responded spreading her wings trying to get the attention of the demons. "I'll distract them, go tell Twilight."

While Cadence distracted the demons Shining and Starlight headed back to Twilights castle.

"Hey boys, who wants to share the love?" Cadence taunted the demons antagonizing them.

As Starlight and Shining armor made it back to Twilights Castle, they barged through the door nearly knocking over Spike in the process. The duo saw Twilight explaining what has happened to Luna, to her friends.

"Shiny?!" Twilight exclaimed at the unexpected entrance.

"Cadence is in danger, we need to rally the guard there are demons at Ponyville station." Shining Armor stated through labored breaths

Cadence had already engaged the demons, she evaded as a fireball flew passed her. She took flight and released a beam of cyan magic but the beam seemingly went through the demon. Cadence was confused, she had never encountered something like this before. She began to wonder if she could even hurt this demon, she normally didn't have a problem using her magic offensively. She had never been unable to hit a creature with her magic before.

She tried to go in for a melee attack but the demon simply swatted her away like a fly. As she hit the floor the demons started approaching her, as she lay there slightly dazed. Cadence recovered quick enough and summoned her sword to her, before she teleported, distancing herself from her enemies. She then watched and waited for an opportune moment to strike, she saw the demon channel his dark magic to create another fireball.

She took her chance and slashed at the creatures claw, but once again she found it impossible to hit with her blade. It was like trying to hit smoke, though she had held out long enough. The cavalry finally arrived with Twilight leading the charge, her horn ablaze with magenta light.

She released a bolt of pure blinding energy at the creature and the creature howled in pain, as it pierced its chest, Twilight then cast another spell, this time imbuing the Twilight Guards' swords with magic. Their swords began to glow white and they soon overwhelmed the next demon, until Flash Sentry jumped on the creature knocking it prone, plunging his sword into its throat, then in one swift motion slicing the demons head off. The demons soon turned to ash.

"Cadence, are you hurt?" Twilight asked as she looked over her sister-in-law.

"No, I'm fine, a bath would be nice though. How did you kill them? I couldn't harm them with magic or with physical weapons?" Cadence asked.

"These things are not regular demons they are Raug Gwathren, they are ancient demons that were imprisoned deep within Tartarus. The only way to kill them is with radiant magic, it's ancient magic that allows the caster to command the power of holy light. Since they have escaped Tartarus it might be a good idea to have a look at the Crystal Empire, I don't know how they got out, but we must stop them, I'll come with you to the Crystal Empire and help you return them to Tartarus." Twilight explained.

After the Demons were defeated, the piles of ash Coalesced into the vague form of a reformed changeling.

"Very good. I knew you would at least be strong enough to crush this miserable excuse of a powerful creature... I look forward to eventually meeting you face to face. Particularly you, Starlight." The shadowy outline said darkly.

"Who are you! Where is Thorax?" Starlight demanded stomping forwards. Cadence reached out to stop her but Starlight pushed passed her.

"Oh, you'll find out soon enough. Just know that he suffered." The Shadow laughed.

"N... no..." Starlight gasped and took a step back.

The shadows' outline parted slightly where the creatures mouth would be, simulating a smile.

"As for the rest of you! Just know that Sombra will not be calling the shots for long! My reign shall last for Millenia! I shall topple mountains, destroy monuments and turn this world into nothing but a shadow of its' former self! An echo of what it once was!" the strange silhouette shouted into the air before he threw his head back and laughed darkly.

Cadence had enough and stepped forwards firing a turquoise bolt of magic directly through the shadow's head, dispelling its' form.

"Don't worry, we will stop him... whoever he is." She hissed before she heard sobbing. She turned her head to see Starlight weeping, the words the shadow had said pierced her heart like daggers. Starlight began to believe it was her fault, had she only got to the Empire faster just maybe her love would be alive, but in the end it was meaningless. Starlight thought of what could have been, what his kiss would be like, she could only think of the last touch they shared on the park bench in the sunset. She felt like the light in her life had faded and she was stricken with a great and painful darkness.

"Why... why did it... Why did it have to be him... have... have I been cursed... It should have been me... not him... he... he was a king... I... I..." Starlight trailed off as she fell to the ground swallowed by her grief. Her tears fell to the ground, like falling stars, shattering on the ground from her sadness.

"Starlight..." Twilight trailed off as she embraced her friend, and became a shoulder to cry on, Twilight could feel her pupils outcry, and mourning. She was moved by the overwhelming sorrow, and began to cry alongside Starlight, Thorax was a good friend of hers as well, and now he was gone. Twilight couldn't help but think of her immortality, and how she would have to dance to the sad tune time and time again, she knew that this path would not become easier over time, it would only get more difficult. She now understood Celestias' deep sorrow and pain on a more personal level now.

Author's Note

R-org Gwa-th-ren - Shadow Demon

bewildered - perplexed or puzzled confusion.

A special thanx to my Co author Disappointment-incarnate